health
Am I a happier person for having a child? It’s the wrong question to ask
A new study finds that having children leaves your emotional wellbeing unchanged – but the truth is so much more complicated than that
TL;DR
- A study involving over 5,000 participants across 10 countries found no significant evidence that having children increases positive emotions or measurable emotional wellbeing.
- The study examined hedonic wellbeing (daily emotions) and eudaimonic wellbeing (sense of purpose), finding only Greek mothers reported a greater sense of purpose.
- The author contends that measuring happiness related to parenthood is complex, involving intense love, vulnerability, and a range of emotions that are difficult to quantify.
- Parenthood is described as a series of intense highs and lows, rather than a sustained emotional state.
- The article suggests societal honesty about the realities of care work, which is hard and not always fulfilling, is lacking.
- The author posits that a lack of a supportive community ('village') could influence study results, as support systems help manage the challenges of parenthood.